Safety

Bill would require belts on Nebraska buses

LINCOLN, Neb. — Sen. John Harms has introduced a bill that would require all new school buses in the state to be equipped with seat belts.

The legislation would allow lap belts, shoulder belts or a combination of belts.

The bill also stipulates that pupil transportation providers would be required to provide students with instruction on safe riding practices and conduct emergency evacuation drills at least twice each school year.

The belt provision would apply to every school bus manufactured on or after the bill’s effective date.

A preliminary report finds that Glenn Chappell had hypertension, diabetes, and seizures, and in the past five years had been involved in at least 12 crashes or incidents while driving a school bus or personal vehicle.